Pocono Mountain Regional Police chief's free ride costs $10,000

Pocono Mountain Regional Police Chief Harry Lewis' daily commute to his home in the Allentown area costs taxpayers at least $10,000 each year, a Pocono Record analysis reveals.

JENNA EBERSOLE

Pocono Mountain Regional Police Chief Harry Lewis' daily commute to his home in the Allentown area costs taxpayers at least $10,000 each year, a Pocono Record analysis reveals.

A theft from Lewis' unlocked, department-issued Chevrolet Tahoe last year ignited new questions from the public over the distance he commutes and frustration about why the drive is on the taxpayers' dime.

Court documents revealed his address, which is about 50 miles from the department's headquarters, after two teens allegedly stole his service weapon from the Tahoe while it was parked at his home.

At a police commission meeting earlier this month, one resident questioned why the department has no residency requirement.

He also cited figures for one month of Lewis' mileage at the IRS rate and asked why the chief drives an inefficient SUV.

"As a taxpayer, I don't think that's very accountable," said Ed Tutrone of Pocono Pines.

Two police commission members, David Moyer of Tobyhanna Township and Fred Courtright of Mount Pocono, defended the cost of the mileage.

Moyer said Lewis is always available by radio and responds to emergencies with a fully equipped vehicle.

Moyer said the IRS rate for mileage is not a fair measurement, and that the department chose to do away with a residency requirement years ago.

Moyer also pointed to Lewis' quick response to the shooting at the Ross Township municipal building last August that left three dead.

Lewis was on his way home on Route 33 and was one of the first to arrive at the scene.

"I think that's a great service to our whole community," Moyer said. "So I have no problem with it."

The Pocono Record analyzed documents from the years 2011-13 to determine the annual costs of Lewis' commute.

A conservative analysis reveals the figure is around $10,000, and that Lewis' vehicle occasionally leads all other departmental vehicles in monthly miles driven.

The analysis reveals:

Calculated based on IRS mileage reimbursement rates for 2011-13, Lewis' total mileage has cost about $15,800 to $18,800 each year.

(IRS rates do not reflect only fuel costs but also account for fixed and variable costs for operating a vehicle.)

His 50-mile commute alone has cost, at minimum, about $10,300 to $12,500 annually. In other words, in both cost and total mileage, about two-thirds of the vehicle's use stems from Lewis' commute. For at least four months over the last three years, Lewis' vehicle reported more miles driven than any other in the department's fleet of about 30.

In September 2012, Lewis' vehicle was driven just over 6,000 miles. The next highest vehicle had about 4,000. In other months, Lewis' vehicle was closer to the middle in reported mileage.

Some days cannot be calculated, given what appear to be unreported miles, and the figure also does not include trips for emergencies or other needs outside his typical hours.

It is also unclear whether other drivers used the vehicle, which could contribute to the total mileage.

Each month, officers submit mileage records for the commission to review and approve, with some vehicles marked as undercover.

Increasingly since 2011, according to the records, mileage has not been turned in on some vehicles, especially undercover vehicles.

Coolbaugh Township Supervisor Lynn Kelly asked Lewis last month about the gaps, and he said sometimes officers don't submit their mileage reports in time.

Records of monthly mileage show zeroes listed for Lewis' vehicle three times in 2013 and once in 2012.

It is unclear if Lewis actually did not use the vehicle in those months, or if the unaccounted-for miles got added into the next month's totals, but mileage reported in the months that followed were typically higher.

Lewis did not respond to an email requesting clarification on several points, including whether unreported miles get added into the next month's total, or whether anyone else ever drives the vehicle.

The commission approved a new, three-year contract for Lewis this month over protests by Coolbaugh and Mount Pocono members to wait, given the absence of two of their representatives.

Kelly has said that she believes the language governing the use of Lewis' vehicle in his contract had been too broad.

The 2014 contract adds a sentence on its use.

His contracts for 2011, 2013 and 2014 all said Lewis will have an unmarked vehicle for use that includes his commute "and all other times that he, in his sole discretion, decides that the vehicle is necessary to perform his duties as chief."

The new sentence for 2014 adds:

"Lewis shall not use the automobile for personal reasons, including but not limited to: personal or family travel, errands and/or to go on vacation."

The language permitting him to use the Tahoe for commuting is preserved in the new contract, however.

The contract also adds a sentence saying Lewis operates the vehicle unless he assigns it to another driver.